Hello, Hivers! How are you? 😇 How did you spend your Christmas? Were you with your family, friends, or loved ones? Whether celebrating with companions or on your own, what matters most is your health and having Christ at the center of your life as we celebrate His birth. 😊
Today, I'll take you on a virtual tour of the heartwarming scenery of Capelinha de Fatima (Little Chapel)*, situated at Tinubdan Hills in the highland village of Tacup, San Remigio, Cebu.
Did you know that this site has emerged as the newest religious and heritage tourism spot in the Philippines for a notable reason, it stands as one of only four such structures globally, the pioneering one in Asia, and the sole representation in the Philippines. The other three replicas can be found in The United States, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. Gratitude to Sugbo.ph for enlightening us with this fascinating trivia.😊
First, let me show you the facilities surrounding the area. There's a canteen area offering snacks and food, with adjacent rooms prioritized for the stay of Marian devotees, priests, bishops, and other clergy members who wish to stay for a day or night. This is particularly convenient on the 13th of every month and especially on the preparation day for its feast.
What's convenient about this area is that each side (left and right edge) has a restroom, making it very accessible for visitors, particularly during masses. This separation helps in avoiding disruptions, eliminating the need to cross from one side to another. The male and female restrooms being separate is a thoughtful idea to maintain privacy.
The front area of the place is currently under construction but remains accessible to visitors. The pillars are installed for lighting purposes, enhancing the scenery, particularly during dawn activities. The ground is being paved with cement to prevent muddy soil, especially on rainy days, and to maintain a tidy appearance.
Similar to other Catholic locations, the Replica de Capelinha de Fatima in San Remigio also offers an area designated for lighting candles and prayer. This particular space is intended for small candles, as depicted in the pictures above. There's no need to worry if you don't have one, as they are readily available in the vicinity.
If you happen to have a larger candle than the ones provided in the area, there is another spot available for you to light your own candle.
Adjacent to the candlelit space stands the 500 Years of Christianity cross. This symbol of Christianity has been present in Catholic destinations and churches since 2021.
As it's the Christmas season, not just one, not two, but three Christmas Trees grace the right side of the area. Their colorful and lively presence enhances the atmosphere, making us feel even more embraced on the day of Jesus' birth.
During the Christmas season, the Advent Wreath becomes a permanent fixture in the area. Comprising four candles of distinct colors, each holds symbolic significance according to the church traditions. The candles symbolize different themes for each Advent week: Week 1 embodies Hope with the Prophecy Candle (purple), Week 2 signifies Peace with the Bethlehem Candle (purple), Week 3 embodies Joy represented by the Shepherd's Candle (pink), and Week 4 signifies Love with the Angel's Candle (purple). The comprehensive information is attributed to the blogs on Hallow.com.
This section is designated for your prayer intentions. Papers and ballpoint pens are provided for you to write your prayers, and there's a box nearby where you can directly deposit your written prayers. Additionally, an alcohol spray is available to ensure safety measures are observed.
On each side, there's a kneeler available for individuals who prefer to pray on their knees, particularly during the recitation of the Holy Rosary, which is often associated with the presence of Fatima's statue.
I found it fascinating that in many churches, a 'belen' is traditionally placed on the altar to depict the birth of Jesus by Mary. However, during our visit to Capelinha on December 18th, the 'Misa de Gallo' was underway. On these days, the displayed image portrayed Mary and Joseph still on their journey to Bethlehem, offering a unique perspective compared to the typical representation of Jesus' birth.
A square-shaped area is accompanied by constructed seats. The priests who con-celebrate the mass usually sit at the left corner, while the lectors and cantor occupy seats on the right side.
Behind the seats for the lectors and cantor is the choir area, strategically elevated to ensure everyone has access to microphones and to enhance the quality and harmony of their voices.
Adjacent to the choir, there's a small glass room housing the audio booth and instruments.
A picturesque sight is the small chapel known as the Replica de Capelinha de Fatima.
Also, before I forget to mention, they offer various mementos of the area such as rosaries, candles, shirts, necklaces, bracelets, and more. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the shop was closed for some reason.
As additional information, they conduct confession sessions every day except Tuesday from 9 am to 10 am, followed by a holy mass.
Lastly, towards the rear of the area, you'll find the Sacristy. This is where the alba for the priests are located, as many of them frequently visit and celebrate Mass here.
Fortunately, I managed to get hold of their daily activity schedule, and I'm eager to share it with our hive community.
A short notice for everyone, especially newcomers, let's respect the place's policies to foster peace and harmony in the surrounding area
In our pursuit of peace and answers to our prayers, let's honor each individual's privacy and maintain harmony by observing silence. May we set a positive example and take responsibility for our actions and endeavors.
A photo opportunity with @marsventure
Having a peaceful refuge in times of trouble, doubt, and agony is truly therapeutic while having a home to return to in moments of joy doubles the happiness. It's a sacred and tranquil place accessible to all. If given the chance, don't miss visiting, it offers warm companionship and enlightenment.
That's all for today, dear hivers! I hope you enjoyed this tour. While it may not have been as comprehensive as it could be, I aimed to highlight the most meaningful aspects that touch our individual hearts. God bless and stay safe!😊♥️
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Thank you so much, @pinmapple family! Happy New Year!😇
Discovering the Replica de Capelinha de Fatima, a sacred site with global significance, must be a testament to the Philippines' rich religious heritage.
As I was seeing the photos of its intricate details and serene surroundings, I understood the solace and inspiration.
Nice photos of the place.
Thank you for stopping by @rem-steem! It's truly a place worth visiting, especially for those seeking peace and navigating life's complexities. It's sure to provide answers and bring some order to everything.😇
My pleasure. Have a great day.
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Wow, that's fantastic news to hear, @hivebuzz! Indeed, a Happy New Year! Thank you.😊
You're welcome @nineglimpse! The HiveBuzz team wishes you all the best for 2024! Have a Happy New Year ✨🥂✨
Thank you for sharing.
Sharing this scenery is both an honor and an absolute pleasure @chimegipamus😊
What a great place for pilgrimage sis. I hope ny feet will lead there one day. I hope to visit Cebu once more! Happy New Year 2024!
Absolutely, sis @pinkchic! This place is genuinely soul-filling and rejuvenates your being. Hoping for another visit from you soon! Wishing you a Happy New Year!😇
I think I've see the chapel being shared before on the chain by a different fellow hiver, or it might be something similar. Either way, I'm still fascinated by it's appearance and how cozy the whole atmosphere looks like. Yet a thing that is not very common for the chapels in my country which are entirely limited and focused on the religious part only.
Hello @gabrielatravels ☺, there are actually a lot of blogs regarding this pilgrim destination not just because it is one among the four replicas around the globe, but also because of its captivating atmosphere that strengthens the faith in us. Catholics and non-Catholics are very welcome here, as I've said, it is to give serenity and peace of mind to individials especially those who seek for answers in life. Thus, making this so-called little chapel a unique kind of chapel☺.
The house of our Savior is truely beautiful, the place is so clean as just like he cleans our hearts and minds and guide us in our walking path to the future.😇
Indeed it is @john0928 😇, I am overwhelmed of how you think outside the box of this captivating spot🤗 Thanks for dropping by! May He from above give you abundant wisdom to share more to others this kind of thought of yours.😊
Thank you😊
A peaceful and tranquil place it is! If given a chance, I would love to set foot in that place and pray. Thanks for the tour. It'a very informative.
A great pleasure @ayane-chan , hoping you can come and visit the place, it will surely give you ease and space to navigate life's purpose. Have a great day!😊
Hola buenos días, a simple vista se puede percibir que es un lugar tranquilo y de paz, algo que necesitamos en este momento y sobre el color de las velas no lo sabía pero hoy lo aprendí al igual que los 500 años del cristianismo, colocada desde el 20211, cada día aprendemos algo nuevo, gracias por esta publicacion
Thank you so much for appreciating this blog of mine @zarazamagallanes 😊. It's really a kind of place worth the moment of silence. I'd like to give credits to google for translating your comment, so overwhelmed by these words of yours. Thanks for dropping by and God bless you always.😇
Gracias por la bendición 🙏🙏
love it
A love lived with faith is so much fruitful and blissful as anyone can imagine. Happy New Year to you @readingcourage 😇
!WOC
Keep up the great work with Woc, @nineglimpse! hattorio(2/2) is impressed by the thought and consideration you've put into this post. Your work is truly appreciated.
In fact, @hattorio has gifted you 0.1 WGOLD! You can find it in your Hive Engine wallet! We hope you enjoy it to the fullest!
BTW! WGOLD is the token of the War of Clans ecosystem, you can use it to have discounts in all our games or stake it and earn rewards now!
Ohhh wow this is so overwhelming @warofclans ☺💕Thank you so much for this gift, to more blogs soon😇
Ang ganda ng place, hoping makapunta ako riyan this year. 💖
Dapat lang po! 🥰❤️
Manifesting @agnola 😊😊😊